A break from the heat in Bologna

We are now in tranquil and quiet Bologna where there is this rather bizarre statue in the main square featuring these mermaids with water sprouting out of their breasts.


It is thankfully a lot cooler here (about 30 degrees as opposed to 37 degrees in Rome) and there are heaps of shady vaulted (and in some cases beautifully painted) walkways. Bologna is meant to be the culinary capital of Italy, and tomorrow we will find out. It is Larna's birthday and we are going to try out one of the trattoria's in the city.


Last night we had a break from 'doing stuff'. We walked to the supermarket and bought some snacks. So we sat in our hotel room watching music videos and movies in Italian, (trying to figure out the plot) and eating chips and chocolates. I had my shirt off and was drinking a beer...




We have started taking siestas in the afternoon like the locals. It is just too hot to be out in the middle of the day. Last night on the news there was a big report on the heatwave, apparently it was about 45 degrees in Rome and Milan! Man, are we glad to be out of Rome.


Before coming to Bologna we spent two nights in Lucca (I kept on thinking of that line in the Godfather..."Lucca Brazzi is swimming with the fishes"). It is city entirely enclosed in a defensive wall dating back to the 16th century. It was a nice break from the frenzy of Rome, though it was quite busy with cyclists and people out shopping etc. We also got to listen to Seal, who was playing in the main square on Friday night and some free classical music in the botanical gardens.

Oh...and we took a train to see the famous leaning tower of Pisa! Will try and get some photos up soon.